But I am losing sight of the particular object of your inquiry, the manner in which he discharged his duties as a tutor in the University. Soon after he entered upon these duties, if not before, he commenced preaching. I recollect accompanying him at Charlestown, in the latter part of the year 1801, when he delivered an evening lecture from the words of Micah, "Ye have taken away my Gods, and what have I more?" This must have been one of his earliest discourses from the pulpit, and I clearly remember the favorable impression it made upon me of his powers as a preacher. It was at that period customary for tutors who were candidates for the ministry, to preach occasionally in neighboring churches. Your brother, if I mistake not, was engaged in this way most of the Sabbaths while he was a tutor; which of course took him from all care of the students on such days, and might have been one reason why he was generally less disposed to take an active part in respect to governing the students, than he was in the duties of instruction; though these were doubtless far more congenial with his feelings and habits, than the cares of government. Yet he was not wanting in a disposition to concur in all measures of government and discipline which he deemed proper. The department of instruction, which he conducted as tutor, was that of the mathematics and natural philosophy; for his attainments in which, he was then distinguished. Being familiar with the branches of science, which he was required to teach, and feeling a deep interest in the improvement of his pupils, he made himself at all times accessible to them, and took manifest pleasure in freely and fully imparting information in answer to their inquiries. At the recitations and exercises of the several classes, the same qualities were conspicuous, and gave him great advantage as a teacher. His affability, frankness, and unaffected sympathy with all studious inquirers, inspired affectionate confidence and secured the most respectful attention to his instructions. Having also a happy fluency and an animated manner in communicating his thoughts, and being remarkably clear and satisfactory in his views and illustrations, I need not add that he was a very popular as well as useful instructor.

Such are my impressions of his reputation as a teacher at that time. Some of those who were his pupils might doubtless give you more distinct information on the subject. I had no means of personal observation, except from his manner at the public examinations of the students; which fully accorded with what I learned through others. His ardent zeal in the cause of education and human improvement, seems to have distinguished him through life. I had, however, but very rarely an opportunity of witnessing it after he removed from Cambridge. I attended his ordination at Beverly, and occasionally visited him afterwards. Of one visit which I made him soon after his first marriage, I have a distinct recollection, as it left an impression on my mind of his peculiar views respecting female education, probably from his conversation at the time, as well as from finding Mrs. Emerson engaged with him in some of the higher intellectual studies, apparently as a pupil. His room had all the appearance of a college study, with the Encyclopedia and other ponderous volumes arranged on the floor around him. At that time, he seemed to think that the profoundest branches of science and philosophy were adapted to exercise and discipline the female mind, and might be comprised with advantage in a course of female studies. I am inclined to believe that his views underwent some change, from his subsequent experience and observation. At a later period, I was much gratified to hear remarks from him on this subject, which appeared to me to indicate the most enlarged and just views of the character and duties of the female sex, and of the education and studies appropriate to them. I hope you will be able, from his correspondence and other sources, to collect and preserve the valuable results of his observation and reflection on the subject of education, and especially the education of females, upon which he bestowed so much thought and labor, and from his long experience as an instructor, was so competent a judge.

With the sincerest wishes for the success of your present undertaking and all your useful labors, I remain Yours, respectfully,

D. A. WHITE.

The remaining communication is a letter from his highly respected teacher in divinity, Rev. Dr. Emmons, who still survives in great vigor and activity, though at the advanced age of about four score and ten years. He was present at the ordination of my brother in Beverly, and preached the sermon on that occasion.

Franklin, October 14, 1833.

Rev. and Dear Sir,-I thank you for your very kind and affectionate letter, and I should be pleased if I could give you any information or assistance in preparing for publication a Memoir of your dear deceased brother; who, since my first and intimate acquaintance with him, has ever stood high in my affection and esteem. He came to Franklin in the year 1799, and resided with me, at different periods, for about two years, until he was licensed to preach the gospel. I highly esteemed him for his amiable qualities and genuine piety. I attended his ordination at Beverly, and at the request of the Moderator, while under examination, I freely and frankly gave my testimony in favor of his moral and religious character. Though he often wrote to me after his settlement in the ministry, yet I find no letter of his in my hands, except one, which I herewith send you. 1 feel it to be an agreeable and melancholy duty which I owe to God and to the friends of God, as well as to you and to your dear departed brother, to state what I know and what it is proper for me to relate, respecting that worthy and faithful minister of Christ.

Mr. Emerson, like other young gentlemen with whom I have been acquainted while preparing for the ministry, not only conducted with propriety and agreeably to his christian profession, but exhibited some peculiar traits of character, which qualified him for great and extensive usefulness, through the whole course of his life. He possessed a strong, clear, retentive, discriminating mind. He was capable of rising to eminence in any branch of learning to which he turned his particular attention. He had a taste for reading, and especially for reading the scriptures. He was as good a biblical as classical scholar. He studied the deep things of God, and acquired very clear and consistent views of the peculiar and fundamental

doctrines and duties of christianity. He chose the work of the ministry, not for the sake of ease, or popularity, or filthy lucre; but for the sake of employing all his time and talents to the best advantage, in promoting the spiritual and eternal interests of mankind. So long as his health allowed him to pursue his chosen work, he uniformly sustained the character of an able and faithful minister of the gospel. And after his feeble health constrained him a second time to relinquish his pastoral relation to a particular church, he turned his whole attention to a business for which he was eminently qualified, and in which he was extensively useful. In a word, I verily believe, that a just and fair delineation of the talents, usefulness, and exemplary piety of Mr. Emerson, may have a happy tendency to promote the cause of truth and the millennian prosperity of Zion.

With my best wishes for your personal and public usefulness, I am, Dear Sir, most affectionately yours, NATHANIEL EMMONS.

It would be superfluous for me to comment on the facts and traits of character above given with so much kindness, candor, and discrimination, and by authorities so distinguished. Had these communications been an echo to each other of the same facts and sentiments, it would have been an act of ostentation to present them all; but distinctive and peculiar as the reader perceives each one of them to be, I could not feel myself justified in withholding what I have inserted.

CHAPTER V.

FROM HIS SETTLEMENT ΤΟ THE DEATH OF HIS FIRST WIFE.

Ordination-Marriage-Death of his wife-His feelings on that occasion.

It has already been stated, that my brother received the ministerial charge of the third congregational church and society in Beverly, Sept. 21, 1803. As the occasion was new in our annals, the ordaining council was large and uncommonly respectable. The sermon, preached by Dr. Emmons, was published.

That day, to my brother, was solemn beyond description; and probably but few, even of those who have received the like charge, are able fully to enter into the depths of his emotions. As illustrative of this point, I will here mention the fact, that he spent the day in fasting instead of feasting. For this he had indeed very peculiar reasons, in addition to primitive example. It may not be improper to dwell, for a moment, on these reasons, though we cannot go into them minutely.

The church and society were just formed, and were now, under his guidance, about to encounter the peculiar trials incident to their infant state,-trials both within and without. Their circumstances were also, at that time, peculiar, though such circumstances are now common, as so many churches have since come out from the midst of others with which they could no longer be satisfied to continue. The responsibility was as great as the course to be pursued was novel.

But this was not all which conspired to fill his mind with peculiar solemnity, and perhaps with apprehension. I find, from his letters of prior date, that not a little un